Aztecs: Question marks abound. How will the young offensive line fare in its first taste of game pressure? How will Ryan Katz do in his first game in a SDSU uniform? And will the running back tandem of Walter Kazee and Adam Muema be effective against the Huskies’ revamped defense?

Huskies: QB Keith Price broke UW’s single season record for touchdown passes in his first season as the starter in 2011, and set Husky records for season completion percentage and pass efficiency. Like the Aztecs, the Huskies are also replaces three starters on the offensive line, but their replacements are a little more experienced than SDSU’s.

Edge: Washington

Defense:

Aztecs: Rocky Long the realist says there’s no point in raving about his stocked secondary and solid linebackers unless the young, green defensive line can get it done up front. But if the rookies in the trenches can hold off the Huskies’ O-Line, except stars such as CB Leon McFadden, S Nat Berhe, and LB Jake Fely to sparkle.

Huskies: Washington’s ‘D’ set almost as many records as the offense. But not in a positive way. The 2011 Huskies defense set school records in numerous categories including points allowed (467) and total touchdowns (58). The upside is that they have a new defensive coordinator. Still, how the unit will perform in game action is anyone’s guess.

Edge: SDSU

Special teams:

Aztecs: Last year, the Aztecs had an unreliable placekicker. This year, they have yet to select a starting placekicker. Or a punter. Or a kickoff specialist. That shows you how much confidence Rocky Long has in his special teams right now.

Huskies: Placekicker Travis Coons is new – a junior college transfer – as is the punter, true freshman Korey Durkee. Explosive receiver Kasen Wiliams might provide a spark on punt returns, but otherwise, special teams is very much untested.

Edge: Tied.

Coaching:

Aztecs: Even though it’s only his second year at the helm, Rocky Long has had four years to get the Aztecs up to speed on his 3-3-5 defense. Offensively, Andy Ludwig maintained the same system when he was hired by Long as offensive coordinator in 2011. So the Aztecs have continuity on their side.

Huskies: Keith Price has flourished in Steve Sarkisian’s offense, but the defensive staff is brand new. Remains to be seen how well the defense has assimilated to coordinator Justin Wilcox’s new scheme.

Edge: SDSU

Intangibles:

Aztecs: Young offensive and defensive lines could feed off the excitement of finally being on the field in a real game. Or could cave under the pressure. No way to find out until kickoff.

Huskies: Home field advantage might play a part. CenturyLink Stadium is supposedly the loudest stadium in the NFL. Also, the Huskies’ defense – the team’s biggest question mark – could come out jazzed and play with a chip on its collective shoulder after all the negative press it got for being God-awful last year.